At that age I used to just hold my kids if they were acting up. I'd just calmly put them on my knee and hold them until they calmed down and were relaxed. I didn't speak to them or fight with them, we'd just sit quietly until they were calm then I'd put them down. At first it took them a while to relax but after a while they would relax quite quickly. As they got older we used to put them in their bedrooms for a few minutes or until they were calm, they could do whatever they wanted int heir room. Usually by the time I went back to get them they were playing nicely or asleep.